Everyone's familiar with stock conversation starters. In many urban areas, especially this one, few workplace conversations pass without a disparaging comment about the traffic. Residents of Northern Virginia, many of whom are federal employees, face congested commutes into and out of D.C. on a daily basis. From Monday through Friday, the Beltway and I-95 are parking lots. Even the Metro-faithful, onboard buses en route to a station, encounter stand-still rush hour traffic and delays.
A government-wide telework program, however, could potentially ease thousands of commuters' traffic troubles, as the recent News & Messenger editorial ["Bill should help us get off the road," July 22] emphasized. The policy, detailed in the bipartisan Telework Improvement Act, strongly supported by Congressman Connolly, would provide the option of working remotely 20 percent of the time for eligible employees. Concerning the bill, Rep. Connolly put my own thoughts into words: "Here's a good public policy, here's something that's going to benefit the National Capital region, here's something that's going to significantly benefit federal workers." Indeed, it removes travel expenses without sacrificing productivity.
I am pleased to know that representatives like Congressman Connolly have overcome partisan roadblocks and realize that a telework policy would benefit not only the federal government and its workers, but also the general public. With telework practices in place, the federal government would continue its operation in the event of an emergency, like the incapacitating snowstorm this past winter, and would continue to provide services without delays. Working from home offices, thousands of federal employees would be absent from Virginia and D.C. roadways, which makes for less congestion and less frustration for everyone.
This bipartisan telework bill recently passed the House, and I hope the Senate will follow the good example of the House and move this legislation toward a final passage.
ELIZABETH ARMSTRONG HALL
Manassas
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